High pressure electrolytic cell module



y a 1958 A. M. LORD ETAL 3,382,167

HIGH PRESSURE ELECTROLYTIC CELL MODULE I Filed April 1, 1964 00006IIIIII rllm N\ NH Ill-I I I MI I r H OI! O bm 5% W hm WY IIIIVI In! Wm\rY Wm QN m NN KN y v lm j%ofljaeuyffqzaza 4Z--% V ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent 3,382,167 I-IE-GH PRESSURE ELECTROLYTIC CELL MODULE AlbertM. Lord, Lakewood, and Thomas H. Hacha, Willoughhy, Ohio, assiguors toTRW Inc., a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 356,469 12Claims. (Cl. 204-270) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention providesin a single housing a complete electrolytic unit provided with meanswhereby the emitted gas is cooled and recirculated to replenish theelectrolyte.

This invention generally relates to an electrolytic cell module and moreparticularly relates to a compact highpressure electrolytic cell module.

Prior known electrolytic cell modules, utilizing a plurality ofelectrolytic cells were unable to be effectively used in airbornevehicles because of their excessive weight and size. These modulesrequired continuous recirculation of the electrolyte and replenish andcooled the electrolyte outside of the cell module. Further, the cellmodule did not contain the entire electrolytic unit in a single housingbut required several various large units to provide the means forreplenishing the electrolyte, and cooling the module. The presentinvention provides an improved high-pressure electrolytic cell modulehaving the electrolytic cells therein connected to manifold means torecirculate a portion of the gas emitted thereby to cool and replenishthe electrolyte of each electrolytic cell.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide ahigh-pressure water electrolytic cell module having means to feedelectrolyte to each electrolytic cell by vapor diffusion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrolyticcell module having means to control the electrolyte concentration andtemperature by vapor diffusion.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anelectrolytic cell module having a plurality of electrolytic cells andmeans to control the electrolyte concentration and temperature of eachelectrolytic cell by vapor difiusion.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide ahigh-pressure water electrolytic cell module with a manifold means forreceiving gas produced in each cell, means to saturate the gas withelectrolyte vapors, and a manifold means for returning a portion of thesaturated gas to the electrolytic cells to provide cooling thereof andvapor diffusion therein.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a waterelectrolysis cell module having manifold means to receive the hydrogengas produced by a plurality of electrolytic cells, means to humidity aportion of the hydrogen gas and return manifold means for returning thehumidified hydrogen gas to each of the electrolytic cells to cool andreplenish the electrolyte therein.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent after considering the following description taken inconjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer tolike and corresponding parts.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial diagrammatic view with parts in elevationillustrating an electrolytic cell module constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial enlarged longitudinal cross-sec- 3,382,167Patented May 7, 1968 tional view illustrating the electrolytic cellconstruction of the electrolytic cell module taken along the line 11 ofFIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a partial schematic view illustrating the electrolysissystem of the electrolytic cell module illustrated in FIGURE 1.

As shown in the drawings:

For exemplary purposes only, the electrolytic cell module of the presentinvention will be described for a high pressure water electrolytic cellmodule. It is of course understood that the electrolytic cell module maybe used for the electrolysis of materials other than the water.

The electrolytic cell module of the present invention has a plurality ofelectrolytic cells and has its auxiliary equipment packaged in acylindrical pressure vessel with hemispherical ends. The cells areelectrically interconnected and have outlet manifold means for receivinggases evolved therefrom, with means to tap a portion of the gases fromsaid outlet manifold means to direct said tapped gases to a coolingjacket within the module to cool said tapped gases, means to saturatesaid cooled gases with electrolyte, inlet manifold means connected tosaid electrolyte saturating means and the electrolytic cells to returnthe electrolyte saturated hydrogen gas to each of the electrolyticcells, and means to control the cooling and electrolyte saturation ofthe gas, such that the saturated gases will cool said cells andreplenish the electrolyte content thereof.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is an electrolytic cell module 11 having acylindrical pressure vessel 12 with hemispherical ends 13 and 14. Aroundthe outer surface of the vessel 12 and extending substantially thelength project a plurality of spaced annular fins 16 that act asradiator fins to cool the pressure vessel. Along the inner circumferenceof the vessel 12 and opposite the fins 16 is mounted a helical conduit17 extending substantially the length of the pressure vessel. Theconduit 17 has an inlet 18 and an outlet 19 and is utilized to conductheat from the fluid therein to the fins 16.

-An electrolytic cell stack 21 i mounted essentially Within the pressurevessel 12 and preferably has low pressure walls although the cell willoperate at high-pressure. Above the electrolytic cell stack 21 andcentrally to the end 13 is mounted a high-pressure water pump 22 havinghigh-pressure construction. The water pump 22 has an inlet conduit 26which is connected to a suitable water supply 27 and an outlet conduit28. The water pump 22 is connected to a circulating blower 23 having lowpressure construction, by an axle 24. The circulating blower 23 ismounted Within the pressure vessel between the water pump and theelectrolytic cell stack 21 and 'has an inlet conduit 31 and an outletconduit 32. A motor 25, mounted between the stack 21 and the blower 23,simultaneously operates the circulating blower 23 and the water pump 22through an axle 26. The outlet conduit 28 delivers water to a spraynozzle 30 (FIG. 3) which is located within a spray humidifier 29. Thespray humidifier 29 has .a gas outlet communicating with the circulatingblower conduit 31, a liquid inlet communicating with pump conduit 28,and a gas inlet conduit 3 4, communicating the interior of thehumidifier with the helical cooling coil outlet 19. Thus, the water pump22 delivers water to a spray nozzle '30 (FIGURE 3) mounted within thehumidifier while cooled gases are delivered to the humidifier by conduit34. Within the humidifier, the humidity of the cooled gases is raisedand preferably saturated with water vapor by the Water spray from thenozzle 30. The humidified gases are then delivered by conduit 31 to thecirculating blower 23.

A hydrogen outlet manifold '36, an oxygen outlet manifold 39, and ahydrogen inlet manifold 33 are mounted within the vessel adjacent thecell stack 21. The hydrogen outlet manifold 36 has an outlet 40 fordelivering hydrogen gas to a fuel cell (not shown) or other suitablemeans. The cooling coil also communicates with the hydrogen manifold 36through a hydrogen take-off conduit '37 to have a portion of thehydrogen gas delivered thereto and a heat exchanger by-pass conduit 35communicates the manifold 36 with the conduit 34 through a normallyclosed three-way temperature sensitive valve means 38. The valve means38 opens to allow the hot hydrogen gas within the manifold 36 to mixwithin the conduit 34 with the cooled hydrogen gas from the cooling coil17 when the cooling coil and associated fins 16 cool the hydrogen gasbelow a predetermined temperature.

The hydrogen inlet manifold is connected to the circulating blower 23 bythe conduit 32 and receives cooled humidified hydrogen gas therefrom andthe oxygen outlet manifold 39 has an outlet 41 for delivering oxygen gasto the fuel cell (not shown) or other suitable means.

The cell stack 21 is composed of a plurality of electrically connectedelectrolytic cells that decompose their aqueous electrolyte intohydrogen and oxygen gases. A plurality of hydrogen outlet conduits 55(FIGURE 3) connect each electrolytic cell of the cell stack with thehydrogen outlet manifold 36, a plurality of oxygen outlet conduits 56a(FIGURE 3) interconnect each elc trolytic cell in the cell stack 21 withthe oxygen outlet manifold 39, and a plurality of hydrogen inletconduits 64 (FIGURE 3) interconnect each electrolytic cell of the cellstack 21 with the hydrogen inlet manifold 33. A pressure relief valve 42is mounted on the hydrogen outlet manifold 36 between the hydrogenoutlet 40 and the by-pass conduit '37 and an oxygen relief valve 43 ismounted before the oxygen outlet 41. A valve control assembly 44interlinks the relief valves 42 and 43 by lines 46 and 47 respectivelyso that the electrolytic cells do not experience a pressure differencegreater than 1.0 p.s.i.a. in their respective electrode assemblies.

The rate of water spray within the spray humidifier 29 is controlled bya gas temperature depression sensor 48 mounted on the humidifier tosense the temperature therein and connected by line 48a to control awater supply valve 49 and thereby control the amount of water beingsprayed to thus control the amount of humidification of the hydrogen gaswithin the humidifier.

Referring to FIGURE 2, there is illustrated a partial longitudinalcross-sectional view of two adjacent electrolytic cells 51 and 52 in thecell stack 21. The cells are separated by a sheet metal partition 53 andeach cell has a hydrogen chamber 54, an oxygen chamber 56 and an aqueouselectrolyte 59 positioned between the hydrogen and oxygen chambers. Acathode 57 is positioned between the hydrogen chamber and theelectrolyte and an anode 58 is positioned between the oxygen chamber andthe electrolyte. The electrolyte 59 is in 'a bed or mat or a matrix ofasbestos fibers impregnated with an aqueous electrolyte solution of, forexample, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid orsulfuric acid. The thickness of the electrodes '7 and 58, and theelectrolyte matrix 59 have been exaggerated in the drawings for purposesof clarity as the thickness of the electrodes and the electrolyte arequite small i.e. the thickness of the electrolyte layer normallymeasures as small as 0.030 inch and the thickness of the electrodesbeing as small as 0.0045 inch. The electrodes 57 and 58 may be sinterednickel porous plates varying from 0.004 to 0.020 inch thick, nickelscreen of 0.003 inch wire with 80 wires per inch, nickel screen with acoating of platinum black, silver and tantalum screens, or porous carbonplates.

Within the hydrogen and oxygen compartments are metal screens 61 whichmay he preferably nickel or copper screening utilized for makingelectrical contact with the electrodes 57 and 58.

Referring to FIGURE 3 the operation of the electrolytic cell module 11is schematically illustrated by illustrating a series of twoelectrolytic cells. It is of course understood that the number ofelectrolytic cells is many times more than two.

The electrolytic cells 51 and 52 have their electrolyte impregdatedasbestos beds 59 disposed between the cathode 57 and the anode 58.Hydrogen produced at the cathode is delivered from the hydrogen chamber54 to the hydrogen deliveiy conduits to the hydrogen outlet manifold 36and the oxygen produced at the anode 58 is delivered from the oxygenchamber 56 to the oxygen outlet manifold 39 by conduits 56a. A portionof the hydrogen from the hydrogen manifold is delivered by conduit 37 tothe annular cooling coils 17 and the hydrogen transfers its heat to thefins '16 which has ambient air blown thereover by the fan 63. The cooledhydrogen is then delivered to conduit 34. Conduit 34 is interconnectedwith the manifold by conduit 35 and at the point of juncture there islocated the temperature sensitive three-way valve 38 which will allowhydrogen from the manifold 36 to by-pass the cooling coils 17 and bedelivered directly to conduit 34 where it is mixed with cooled hydrogen.The function of the valve 38 is dependent upon the predetermined desiredtemperature of hydrogen gas to be fed to the spray humidifier 29. Thehumidifier 29 has a spray nozzle 30 located therein that is fed water bythe highpressure pump 22 through the conduit 28. The amount of Water fedby the pump is determined by the temperature within the spray humidifierwhich is sensed by the temperature sensor 48 interconnected to valve 49to control the water fed to the pump 22 from the water supply 27. Thecooled hydrogen is humidified in the spray chamber and then delivered tothe circulating blower 23 by conduit 31. The blower 23 delivers thehumidified hydrogen to the hydrogen inlet manifold 33. The hydrogenmanifold has inlet conduits 64 communicating with the hydrogen chambers54 opposite the hydrogen outlet conduits 55.

The tapped hydrogen has been cooled and humidified such that the vaporpressure thereof is greater than vapor pressure of the electrolyte.Therefore, when the humidified hydrogen gas enters the hydrogen chambers54, a portion of its water vapor will dififuse through the cathode 57and condense on the electrolyte to wet the electrolyte and replenish thewater decomposed by the cathode and anode reaction. The production ofhydrogen and oxygen gases at the cathodes and anodes of eachelectrolytic cell and the supply of humidified hydrogen to the hydrogenchambers 54 are such that the hydrogen and oxygen gases being deliveredby the hydrogen outlet manifold 36 and the oxygen outlet manifold 39 tothe fuel cell or other suitable means are being delivered at 4500p.s.i.a., with the hydrogen and oxygen pressure relief valves 42 and 43being interlinked by control 44 such that the hydrogen chambers 54 andthe oxygen chambers 56 of each cell do not experience a pressurediiference greater than 1.0 p.s.i.a.

The module hemispherical end 14 has an electrical connector 66 mountedthereon with suitable wires 67 (FIG URE 3) suitably electricallyconnected thereto and to the first and last electrodes of the cell stack21 (one anode and one cathode). Lines 67 are schematically used toconnect the electrolytic cells in electrical series. That is, referringto FIGURE 3, the anode 58 .of the cell 51 is connected to the cathode 57of the cell 52 by the electrical line 67 and the anode and cathode ofthe end cells are connected to the electrical connector 66 which may beconnected to suitable electrical supply means (not shown). However, inactual practice, referring to FIG- URE 2, electrical continuity acrosseach of the cells is accomplished by the wire spacers 61 and the metalpartitions 53 with only the first and last electrodes being connected toan electrical supply means. Also, the cells may be connected inelectrical parallel if desired. That is, the cathode 57 of cell 51 beinginterconnected to the cathode of cell 52 etc. with the cathodes of allthe cells being connected by a single electrical line. Likewise, theanodes of adjacent cells are connected by another electrical line withthe cathode and anode electrical lines being suitably connected to theelectrical connector 66. However, in the electrical parallelarrangement, the partition 53 may be eliminated between two adjacentelectrolytic cells by rearranging the two adjacent cells to have acommon gas chamber, such as an oxygen chamber 56, with the anodes 58facing each other instead of having theanode 58.013 cell 51 facing thecathode 57 of cell 52 as is represented in FIGURE 2.

The module 11 was constructed for electrolyzing pounds per hour of waterto deliver hydrogen and oxygen gases at 4500 p.s.i.a. The module was 21inches in diameter and 60 inches long and contained 100 electrolyticcells, a circulating blower, a water pump, a spray humidifier,associated cooling coils and manifolds, temperature and water controls,and had external cooling fins. The electrolyt-ic cells operated at 300F. with sintered nickel electrodes and 6N KOH impregnated asbestoselectrolytes. The power consumption of the module was 45 kilowatts at300 volts and water and temperature controls were set to providesaturated hydrogen gas at 277 F. to be delivered to the inlet conduits64. The polarization data for hydrogen and oxygen gases being deliveredat 4500 p.s.i.a. was calculated as follows:

Current density Volts: (amps/ft?) Another module 11 was constructed forelectrolyzing 10 pounds per hour of water to deliver gases at 4500p.s.i.a. This module was 21 inches in diameter and 60 inches long andcontained 100 electrolytic cells operating at 300 F. with 6N KOHimpregnated asbestos electrolytes and sintered nickel electrodes havinga platinum catalyst thereon. The power consumption of the module was 30kilowatts at 200 volts and the water spray and temperature controls wereset to provide saturated hydrogen gas at 277 F. to be delivered to thehydrogen chambers 54-. The polarization data for hydrogen and oxygengases being delivered at 4500 p.s.i.a. was calculated as follows:

Volts 2.0 Current density (amps/ft?) 100 It is of course understood thatalthough the above module was described with means to recirculate cool,and humidity a portion of the hydrogen gases, the module would operatein a similar manner if means were provided to recirculate, cool andhumidity a portion of the hydrogen gas and/or the oxygen gas produced inthe cells. Also a similar module may be constructed for electrolysis ofmaterials other than water, with the gas produced by the cells beingrecirculated and saturated with the desired electrolyte vapor so thatthe gas electrolyte vapor pressure is greater than the vapor pressure ofthe electrolyte in the electrolytic cells. It is understood that theseand other modifications and variations may be effected without departingfrom the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention as defined by the following claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell having a gas chamber with an electrode, anelectrolyte,

and

means to decompose an aqueous solution of said electrolyte to produce agas at said electrode in said gas chamber,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel, conduit means within saidvessel connected to the gas chamber and the housing to tap a portion ofthe gas produced in the gas chamber and deliver it to the housing,

means connected to the housing to increase the water vapor pressure ofthe gas within the housing above the water vapor pressure in theelectrolytic cell, and

an outlet conduit means mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chamber to deliver increasedvapor pressure gas thereto,

whereby the increased vapor pressure gas entering the electrolytic cellgas chamber has a portion of its electrolyte vapor diffuse through theelectrode and condense in the electrolytic cell to mix with and replacethe water content of the cell electrolyte which was decomposed toproduce the gas.

2. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell having a gasd chamber with an electrode, anelectrolyte,

means to decompose an aqueous solution of said electrolyte to produce agas at said electrode in said gas chamber,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel,

first conduit means within said vessel connected to the gas chamber totap a portion of the gas produced therein,

heat exchange means mounted within said vessel connected to said firstconduit means to receive gas therefrom and remove heat from said gas bysensible cooling,

a second conduit means connecting said heat exchanger to said housing todeliver cooled gas to said housing, means connected to the housing toincrease the water vapor pressure of the gas within the housing abovethe water vapor pressure in the electrolytic cell, and

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chamber to deliver increasedvapor pressure gas thereto whereby the increased vapor pressure gasentering the electrolytic cell gas chamber has a portion of itselectrolyte vapor diffuse through the electrode and condense in theelectrolytic cell to mix with and replace the Water content of the cellelectrolyte which was decomposed to produce the gas.

3. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell stack having a plurality of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having a gas chamber with an electrode,

an electrolyte, and

means to decompose an aqueous solution of said electrolyte to produce agas at said electrode in said gas chamber,

an outlet manifold mounted in said vessel adjacent said cell stack,

said outlet manifold being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschambers to receive gas therefrom, a spray housing mounted within saidvessel,

rst conduit means within said vessel connected to the gas chambers totap a portion of the gas from the gas chambers,

heat exchange means within said vessel, connected to said first conduitmeans to receive gas therefrom and remove heat from said gas by sensiblecooling,

an outlet conduit means connecting said heat exchanger to said housingto deliver cooled gas to said housing,

a by-pass conduit means connecting said first conduit means to saidoutlet conduit means to allow a portion of the tapped gas to by-pass theheat exchanger, means normally closing said by-pass conduit means, meansto selectively open said by-pass conduit means to control the amount ofsensible cooling of the tapped gas by the heat exchanger,

means connected to the housing to increase the water vapor pressure ofthe gas within the housing above the water vapor pressure in theelectrolytic cell, and

an inlet manifold mounted Within said vessel and con nected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chambers to deliver increasedvapor pressure gas thereto whereby the increased vapor pressure gasentering the electrolytic cell gas chambers has a portion of itselectrolyte vapor diffuse through the electrodes and condense thereon tomix With and replace the Water content of the cell electrolyte which wasdecomposed to produce the gas.

4. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a high pressure vessel,

said vessel having a plurality of fins projecting therefrom,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell stack having a plurafity of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having a gas chamber with an electrode,

an electrolyte, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce a gas at said electrodein said gas chamber,

an outlet manifold mounted in said vessel adjacent said cell stack,

said outlet manifold being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschambers to receive gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel,

first conduit means within said vessel connected to the gas chambers totap a portion of the gas from the gas chambers,

a cooling coil conduit means mounted adjacent the interior wall of thevessel to conduct heat to said vessel,

said cooling coil being connected to said first conduit to receive gastherefrom,

an outlet conduit means connecting said cooing coil to said housing todeliver cooled gas to said housing,

a by-pass conduit means connecting said first conduit means to saidoutlet conduit means to allow a portion of the tapped gas to by-pass thecooling coil,

means normally closing said by-pass conduit means,

means to selectively open said bypass conduit means to control theamount of sensible cooling of the tapped gas by the cooling coil,

means connected to the housing to increase the water Vapor pressure ofthe gas within the housing above the water vapor pressure in theelectrolytic cell, and

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chamber to deliver increasedvapor pressure gas thereto,

whereby the increased vapor pressure gas entering the electrolytic cellgas chamber has a portion of its electrolyte vapor diffuse through theelectrode and condense in the electrolytic cell to mix with and replacethe water content of the cell electrolyte which was decomposed toproduce the gas.

5. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

said vessel having cooling fins projecting therefrom,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell stack having a plurality of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having a gas chamber With an electrode,an electrolyte, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce a gas at said electrodein said gas chamber,

an outlet manifold mounted in said vessel adjacent said cell stack,

said outlet manifold being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschamber to receive gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel,

first conduit means within said vessel connected to the gas chambers totap a portion of the gas from the gas chamber,

a cooling coil conduit means mounted adjacent the interior wall of thevessel to conduct heat to said vessel,

said cooling coil being connected to said first conduit to receive gastherefrom,

an outlet conduit means connecting said cooling coil to said housing todeliver cooled gas to said housing,

a bypass conduit means connecting said first conduit means to saidoutlet conduit means to allow a portion of the tapped gas to by-pass thecooling coil,

means normally closing said by-pass conduit means,

means to selectively open said by-pass conduit means to control theamount of sensible cooling of the tapped gas by the cooling coil,

spray nozzle means connected to the interior of said housing,

pump means connected to said nozzle to deliver electrolyte thereto,

means to control the electrolyte spray in said spray chamber to providethe tapped gas with increased water vapor pressure greater than thewater vapor pressure in the electrolytic cells,

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidelectrolytic cell gas chambers to deliver increased vapor pressure gasthereto, and

pump means connected to said housing and said inlet manifold to deliverincreased vapor pressure gas to the inlet manifold,

whereby the increased vapor pressure gas entering the electrolytic cellgas chamber has a portion of its electrolyte vapor diffuse through theelectrode and condense thereon to mix with and replace the water contentof the cell electrolyte which was decomposed to produce the gas.

6. A water electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell mounted Within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell having a gas chamber with an electrode,

an electrolyte, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce a gas at said electrodein said gas chamber,

an outlet manifold mounted in said vessel adjacent said cell stack,

said outlet manifold being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschamber to receive gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel,

first conduit means within said vessel connected to the gas chamber andthe housing to tap a portion of the gas from gas chamber and deliver itto the housing,

means connected to the housing to increase the humidity of the gaswithin the housing above the water vapor pressure in the electrolyticcell, and

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chamber to deliver the humidifiedgas thereto whereby the increased vapor pressure gas entering theelectrolytic cell gas chamber has a portion of its electrolyte vapordiffuse through the electrode and condense thereon to mix with andreplace the electrolyte Water which was decomposed to produce the gas.

7. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell having a gas chamber with an electrode,

an electrolyte, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce a gas at said electrodein said gas chamber,

an outlet manifold mounted in said vessel adjacent said cell stack,

said outlet manifold being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschamber to receive gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel,

first conduit means within said vessel connected to the gas chamber totap a portion of the gas from the gas chamber,

heat exchange means connected to said first conduit means to receive gastherefrom and remove heat from said gas by sensible cooling,

an outlet conduit means connecting said heat exchanger to said housingto deliver cooled gas to said housing,

means connected to the housing to increase the humidity of the gaswithin the housing above the Water vapor pressure in the electrolyticcell, and

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chamber to deliver increasedvapor pressure gas thereto whereby the increased vapor pressure gasentering the electrolytic cell gas chamber has a portion of itselectrolyte vapor dilfused through the electrode and condense thereon tomix with and replace the electrolyte water which Was decomposed toproduce the gas.

8. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted within said vessel,

said electrolyte cell stack having a plurality of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having a pair of gas chambers with anelectrode in each chamber,

an electrolyte, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce hydrogen and oxygen gasin said gas chambers,

a pair of outlet manifolds mounted in said vessel adjacent said cellstack,

said outlet manifolds being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschambers to receive hydrogen and oxygen gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel,

first conduit means Within said vessel connected to at least one gaschamber to tap a portion of the gas from the gas chamber and deliver itto the housing,

heat exchange means connected to said first conduit means to receive gastherefrom and remove heat from said gas by sensible cooling,

an outlet conduit means connecting said heat exchanger to said housingto deliver cooled gas to said spray chamber,

:means connected to the housing to increase the humidity of the gaswithin the housing above the water vapor pressure in the electrolyticcell, and

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chamber to deliver increasedvapor pressure gas thereto whereby the increased vapor pressure gasentering the electrolytic cell gas chamber has a portion of itselectrolyte vapor diffused through the electrode and condense thereon tomix with and replace the electrolyte water which was decomposed toproduce the gas.

9. An eelctrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell stack having a plurality of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having a hydrogen chamber with acathode, an aqueous electrolyte, and means to decompose said electrolyteto produce hydrogen gas at said cathode in said hydrogen gas chamber anoutlet manifold mounted in said vessel adjacent said cell stack,

said outlet manifold being connected to said electrolytic cell hydrogenchambers to receive gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel,

first conduit means within said vessel connected to the hydrogen gaschambers to tap a portion of the gas from the hydrogen gas chambers anddeliver it to the housing,

heat exchange means connected to said first conduit means to receivehydrogen gas therefrom and remove heat from said hydrogen gas bysensible cooling,

an outlet conduit means connecting said heat exchanger to said housingto deliver cooled hydrogen gas to said housing,

means connected to the housing to increase the Water vapor pressure ofthe gas within the housing above the Water Vapor pressure in theelectrolytic cell, and

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell gas chamber to deliver increasedvapor pressure gas thereto whereby the increased vapor pressure gasentering the electrolytic cell gas chamber has a portion of its Watervapor diffused through the cathode and condense thereon to mix with andreplace the electrolytic cell water which was decomposed to produce thehydrogen gas.

10. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell stack having a plurality of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having a hydrogen gas chamber with acathode,

an electrolyte, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce hydrogen gas at saidcathode in said hydrogen gas chamber an outlet manifold mounted in saidvessel adjacent said cell stack,

said outlet manifold being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschamber to receive hydrogen gas therefrom,

a humidifying spray housing mounted within said vessel, first conduitmeans Within said vessel connected to the outlet manifold and thehousing to tap a portion of the hydrogen gas from the manifold anddeliver it to the housing,

cooling coil means connected to said first conduit means to receivehydrogen gas therefrom and remove heat from said hydrogen gas bysensible coolan outlet conduit means connecting said cooling coil tosaid housing to deliver cooled hydrogen gas to said housing,

a by-pass conduit means connecting said first conduit means to saidoutlet conduit means to allow a portion of the tapped hydrogen gas toby-pass the cooling coil, means normally closing said by-pass conduitmeans,

means to selectively open said by-pass conduit means to control theamount of sensible cooling of the tapped hydrogen gas by the coolingcoil,

means connected to the housing to increase the humidity of the gaswithin the housing above the water vapor pressure in the electrolyticcell, and

an inlet manifold mounted within said vessel and connected to saidhousing and said electrolytic cell hydrogen gas chamber to deliver thehumidified hydrogen gas thereto whereby the increased vapor pressure gasentering the electrolytic cell gas chamber has a portion of its watervapor diffused through the cathode and condense thereon to mix with andreplace the electrolytic cell water which was decomposed to produce thegas.

11. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel having cooling fins projecting therefrom,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted Within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell stack having a plurality of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having a pair of gas chambers with anelectrode in each,

an alkali electrolyte, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce hydrogen and oxygen gasat said electrodes in said gas chambers,

21 pair of outlet manifolds mounted in said vessel adjacent said cellstack,

said outlet manifolds being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschambers to receive hydrogen and oxygen gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel, first conduit means withinsaid vessel connected to at least one of the gas chambers to tap aportion of the gas therefrom,

cooling coil means connected to said first conduit means to receive gastherefrom and remove heat from said gas by sensible cooling,

an outlet conduit means connecting said cooling to said spray housing todeliver cooled gas to spray housing,

a by-pass conduit means connecting said first conduit of the tapped gasto bypass the cooling coil, means to said outlet conduit means to allowa portion means normally closing said by-pass conduit means, means toselectively open said by-pass conduit means to control the amount ofsensible cooling of the tapped gas by the cooling coil,

spray nozzle means connected to the interior of said spray housing,

pump means connected to said nozzle to deliver Water thereto,

means to control the water spray in said spray housing to increase thehumidity of the tapped cooled gas such that its vapor pressure isgreater than the vapor pressure of the electrolyte in the electrolyticcell,

an inlet manifold means connected to the one chamber of eachelectrolytic cell to deliver the humidified gas thereto, and

pump means connected to said spray housing and said inlet manifold todeliver the humidified gas to the inlet manifold whereby the increasedhumidified gas entering the one electrolytic cell gas chambers has aportion of its water vapor diffused through the electrode and condensethereon to mix with and replace the electrolytic cell water which wasdecomposed to produce the gas.

12. An electrolytic cell module comprising:

a vessel having cooling fins projecting therefrom,

an electrolytic cell stack mounted within said vessel,

said electrolytic cell stack having a plurality of electrolytic cells,

each of said electrolytic cells having coil said a hydrogen and oxygengas chamber with a cathode and an anode respectively,

an alkali electrolyte positioned between the cathode and anode, and

means to decompose said electrolyte to produce hydrogen and oxygen gasat said cathode and anode in said respective hydrogen and oxygen gaschambers,

a pair of outlet manifolds mounted in said vessel adjacent said cellstack,

said outlet manifolds being connected to said electrolytic cell gaschambers to receive hydrogen and oxygen gas therefrom,

a spray housing mounted within said vessel, first conduit means withinsaid vessel connected to the hydrogen gas chambers to tap a portion ofthe hydrogen gas therefrom,

cooling coil means connected to said first conduit means to receivehydrogen gas therefrom and remove heat from said hydrogen gas bysensible cooling,

an outlet conduit means connecting said cooling coil to said sprayhousing to deliver cooled hydrogen gas to said spray housing,

a by-pass conduit means connecting said first conduit means to saidoutlet conduit means to allow a portion of the tapped hydrogen gas toby-pass the cooling coil,

means normally closing said by-pass conduit means to control the amountof sensible cooling of the tapped hydrogen gas by the cooling coil,

spray nozzle means connected to the interior of said spray housing,

pump means connected to said nozzle to deliver water thereto,

means to control the water spray in said spray chamber to providesaturated hydrogen gas,

a hydrogen inlet manifold means connected to the hydrogen chamber ofeach electrolytic cell to deliver saturated hydrogen gas thereto, and

pump means connected to said spray chamber and said hydrogen inletmanifold to deliver saturated hydro gen gas to the hydrogen inletmanifold whereby the saturated hydrogen gas entering the hydrogenchamber of each electrolytic cell is cooler than the electrolytic celland cools said cell and also a portion of the water vapor in saidhydrogen gas diffuses through the cathode of the electrolytic cell andcondenses on said cathode to mix with electrolyte in the electrolyticcell and thereby replace the water content of said electrolyte.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,35 6,541 8 194-4 Sledzianowski204-23 6 2,365,330 12/1944 Carmichael 204278 2,816,067 12/1957 Keidel204- HOWARD S. WILLIAMS, Primary Examiner.

D. R. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner.

